Patents by Inventor Craig M. Obermark

Craig M. Obermark has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12092382
    Abstract: An electronic modulating valve for a refrigerant system including a valve body; an electrically actuated valve member mounted in the valve body for modulating flow of fluid through the valve body; an electric power element having at least a portion of an electric actuator; and an electronic controller operably connected to the actuator, in which the actuator is operably connected to the valve member to control movement of the valve member in response to commands from the controller. The valve may include a probe configured to sense a mechanical vibration in the system and/or a refrigerant leak sensor. The controller receives information from the probe and/or leak sensor and controls movement of the valve member via the actuator in response to the information. The controller may be configured with a closed-loop logic architecture to control movement of the valve member via the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian D. Parker, Max A. Witter, Craig M. Obermark
  • Publication number: 20230122190
    Abstract: A flange-mounted inline valve arrangement includes a flange having an internal fluid passage, and an inline electrically-operable valve coupled to the flange. The inline valve includes a valve body and a valve member movable relative to the fluid passage in the flange for controlling flow. The valve arrangement also includes an electrical feed that connects to the electrically-operable valve through the flange for enabling an electrical connection external to the flange and other system piping. At least part of the electrical feed may be in a flow path and is fluidly sealed to prevent electrical shorts. The valve arrangement may be installed into the system as a single unit with an exterior coupling of the electrical feed on an exterior part of the flange to easily make the external electrical connection. The valve arrangement may be used in a chiller, where the inline valve is an electronic expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Eric R. COYLE, Christian D. PARKER, Craig M. OBERMARK
  • Publication number: 20220128278
    Abstract: An electronic modulating valve for a refrigerant system including a valve body; an electrically actuated valve member mounted in the valve body for modulating flow of fluid through the valve body; an electric power element having at least a portion of an electric actuator; and an electronic controller operably connected to the actuator, in which the actuator is operably connected to the valve member to control movement of the valve member in response to commands from the controller. The valve may include a probe configured to sense a mechanical vibration in the system and/or a refrigerant leak sensor. The controller receives information from the probe and/or leak sensor and controls movement of the valve member via the actuator in response to the information. The controller may be configured with a closed-loop logic architecture to control movement of the valve member via the electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Christian D. Parker, Max A. Witter, Craig M. Obermark
  • Patent number: 10030900
    Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for regulating an ambient condition of a space via a heat exchanger that transfers heat energy from a secondary fluid to a primary fluid, and a flow control valve in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to vary a flow of the secondary fluid through the heat exchanger to provide a continuous flow of the secondary fluid between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate. While in a first mode for regulating the ambient condition of the space, the flow control valve is modulated so as to provide variable and continuous flow of the secondary fluid through the heat exchanger to regulate the ambient condition to a desired target ambient condition. While in a pull-down mode for recovering after a defrost cycle of the heat exchanger, the flow control valve is modulated so as to provide variable and continuous flow of the secondary fluid through the heat exchanger to regulate a temperature drop of the secondary fluid across the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ted W. Sunderland, Patrick W. Bundy, Craig M. Obermark
  • Publication number: 20150204595
    Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for regulating an ambient condition of a space via a heat exchanger that transfers heat energy from a secondary fluid to a primary fluid, and a flow control valve in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to vary a flow of the secondary fluid through the heat exchanger to provide a continuous flow of the secondary fluid between a minimum flow rate and a maximum flow rate. While in a first mode for regulating the ambient condition of the space, the flow control valve is modulated so as to provide variable and continuous flow of the secondary fluid through the heat exchanger to regulate the ambient condition to a desired target ambient condition. While in a pull-down mode for recovering after a defrost cycle of the heat exchanger, the flow control valve is modulated so as to provide variable and continuous flow of the secondary fluid through the heat exchanger to regulate a temperature drop of the secondary fluid across the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Ted W. Sunderland, Patrick W. Bundy, Craig M. Obermark
  • Patent number: 8960637
    Abstract: An electronically controlled stepper motor valve utilizes an electric feed through assembly providing electrical connection between the stepper motor and a mating cable connector; wherein the electric feed through assembly includes four individual leads that are sequenced to allow the mating cable connector to be installed in any of four positions, each 90 degrees apart. The ability to use a 90 degree elbow style cable connector allows the EEV footprint to be minimized which provides an advantage when the electric expansion valve is installed in the tight confines of a package system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian D. Parker, Craig M. Obermark, Gordon R. Coates, III